Save The Snakes

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About Us

Mission

Save The Snakes is dedicated exclusively to snake conservation. Our mission is to protect threatened snake populations around the world through habitat preservation, education and community outreach to create a harmonious relationship between humans and snakes.

Purpose

Save The Snakes works to reduce conflicts between humans and snakes by implementing mitigation strategies which will lead to peaceful coexistence. While our conservation efforts are currently focused in India, we work globally to promote our mission.

Objective 1 – Capacity building of local communities

We accomplish this action by organizing awareness workshops and community outreach programs in identified rural communities that have an existing conflict with snakes. These programs teach community members of the ecological importance of snakes, identification of venomous vs non-venomous snake species, precautionary measures to avoid snakebites, and first aid and treatment in the event of a snakebite. We create sustainable solutions for communities who depend on forest resources and we establish long-term economic livelihoods for community members living near snake habitat. Furthermore, we aim to transform local community members in each identified priority conflict site into “para-ecologists” that continue our conservation activities in their respective villages irrespective of the project period or expiry. We utilize their indigenous local knowledge of wildlife and properly train them to handle, rescue and release snakes that are found in their villages.

Objective 2 – Mitigation of human-snake conflict

Coupled with education and awareness programs, we implement site-specific mitigation measures which could minimize negative interactions with snakes. These include the following efforts: wearing proper footwear at night, using mosquito nets while sleeping, carrying a light while walking at night to avoid stepping on snakes, and promoting simple changes in land use management, such as removal of bushes and garbage that might provide shelter to snakes.

Objective 3 – Community-based conservation of snakes

We train identified local individuals in rescue and rehabilitation of snakes and first aid techniques in the event of a snake bite. These “rescue teams” will also act as liaisons between local communities and wildlife authorities through regular communication on incidence of snake bites. These individuals are also able assist in field surveys to assess species distribution and contribute to snake conservation efforts.

Objective 4 – Foster support for snake conservation

Using print/electronic media and social media platforms, we publicize the project to convey the conservation message to the public at large on the importance of snake conservation and habitat preservation.